More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Dam Busters

The air crews of 617 Squadron, who flew the mission on the night of 16 May 1943 to destroy the Möhne and Eder dams, providing electricity for Germany's industrial Ruhr valley. The 19 Lancasters were under the command of Guy *Gibson and the bouncing bombs were designed by Barnes *Wallis. Only 11 of the planes returned, but the dams were put out of action for a year. A film, The Dam Busters, was made in 1954, directed by Michael Anderson, with Richard Todd as Gibson and Michael Redgrave as Wallis, and with music by Eric *Coates.